"Just 12 of the 151 members of the House of Representatives represent their communities – the old-fashioned idea of democracy. You’re a mug if you think the other 139 represent the people who elect them.

They don’t. They stand for their political party first, foremost and always. They vote the way their party tells them to vote. They owe their job (i.e. their preselection and income) to the party. Their hopes of advancement, a bigger salary, power, depend on pleasing the party – not their electorate. (…)

I like the idea of the balance of power potentially being held by a band of intelligent, accomplished individuals, people who haven’t been party hacks and political wannabes since school. People whose primary allegiance is to their electorate – not whatever factional knuckle draggers hold sway over their branch of either party.

I like the idea of people of principle and conscience representing me to “keep the bastards honest”, as Don Chipp once purposed the Australian Democrats. (…)

Genuine independents representing their communities just might apply the necessary pressure to achieve less timid policy on a number of fronts – the issues of climate, integrity and equality that are the core Teal values, reflecting their communities."

~ Michael Pascoe, The New Daily, 3 July 2024